Costco raised its minimum wage to $17 an hour
Costco has around 180,000 US employees, and 90% of them work hourly. Costco’s new starting wage puts the chain $2/hr above Amazon, Target, and other top retailers’ minimum wage, and $5/hr above Walmart.
Workers' rights & well-being
From wage wins and safer workplaces to stronger labor protections and expanded benefits, this archive tracks real progress on the conditions that shape people’s working lives. Stories here spotlight policy advances, organizing successes, and corporate shifts that improve how workers are treated and supported.
Amazon to cover 100% of college tuition for U.S. hourly employees
Amazon will offer to pay 100% of college tuition for its 750,000 U.S. hourly employees. The e-commerce giant is following the lead of other large U.S. companies that are dangling similar perk in a tight job market.
Scotland joins growing global movement towards a four-day workweek
Scotland plans to launch a trial four-day workweek. Workers will have their hours reduced by 20%, but won’t suffer any loss in compensation.
China steps in to regulate brutal ‘996’ work culture
Many workers in China currently work more than 300 hours a month, far exceeding legal limits. Now, the Chinese government is stepping in to curb these abusive practices.
Walgreens becomes newest member of the $15 an hour club
The $15 increase, which applies to both full- and part-time workers, will be phased in and completed by November 2022.
For first time, average pay for supermarket and restaurant workers in the U.S. tops $15 an hour
Overall, nearly 80 percent of U.S. workers now earn at least $15 an hour, up from 60 percent in 2014. Job sites and recruiting firms say many job seekers won’t even consider jobs that pay less than $15 anymore.
World’s largest four-day workweek trial is an “overwhelming success”
More than one percent of Iceland’s working population participated in the pilot scheme, which cut the usual 40-hour working week to 35-36 hours with no reduction in overall pay, reports The Independent.
Thousands of New York drivers create worker-owned version of Uber
The Drivers Cooperative’s founders see their new project as a way for drivers to escape what they describe as exploitation on the part of Uber and Lyft.
Spain set to pilot four-day work week program
The €50m project provides funding to incentivize companies to try out the new schedule. Officials estimate that they will have the funding to sponsor 200 companies, impacting 3,000 to 6,000 employees.
Nevada become first in the U.S. to ban employers from refusing to hire those who fail marijuana tests
Starting in 2020, Nevada employers cannot refuse to hire a job applicant for failing a marijuana screening test, making it the first state to pass such a law.